6 more buses for intercity services from Sharjah

Sharjah residents, particularly long-trippers, may now enjoy a more convenient shuttle service on six intercity public buses newly added to the Sharjah Roads and Transport (RTA) Sharjah fleet.
With the new buses, worth Dh4.5 million, RTA Sharjah is now operating 125 intercity public buses that transport around six million passengers on an annual basis, as per official figures.
Only last year (2015), 39 intercity public buses joined service, however the RTA Sharjah is still hiring some private buses to handle the rush, mainly during holidays and weekends.
According to Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, RTA director for transport affairs, all the new buses start from the Al Jubail main bus station, opposite the fish market and close to the central Souk, to different destinations across the country.
"The new spacious buses will give a boost to the public shuttle service we provide, and will help us reduce the frequency period or waiting time, particularly on the Sharjah-Abu Dhabi bus route."
The 47-seat buses are provided with roomy areas for passengers and baggage alike, he added. "They are all air-conditioned, with comfortable seats, advanced alarm system, and LCD screens to display all the trip data the passengers may need."
RTA Sharjah, with the pressing demand on public transport here, spares no effort to develop its bus fleet, improve its shuttle service, and increase the number of routes and buses, in collaboration with strategic partners, Al Jarwan said.
"Our 125 intercity public buses, running on 16 routes, are so heavy duty and made of special materials and are up to high standards of safety and entertainment to stand the 56,000km long distance covered every day."
Special needs passengers have been considered taken care of with spacious, safe, and comfortable seats, Al Jarwan elaborated. "All the buses are Mercedes Make," he said, stating that new buses will join service with the advent of the 2017.
"Additional bus stops shall also be added on the intercity routes which themselves are to be increased in collaboration with the other service providers, for passengers' convenience."
Yusuf Sulaiman Al Hammadi, head of the procurement and administrative services, who also chairs the bus examination committee, said all the buses are up to the international safety, convenience and environment standards on long trips.
"Out of so many tenders, RTA Sharjah decided on the safest and most convenient 47-seat buses, considering the size of the seat and in-between spaces to ensure sufficient space for each passenger."
All the new buses have also been fitted with five internal and external CCTV cameras, he elaborated. "There is also a special camera for alerting the bus driver to the due safety space when reversing or driving ahead."
The buses are also equipped with quality sensors to avoid any unexpected closure of the doors, he stated. "The new buses have high quality air conditioners, spacious lockers, and many other mechanical and electric options to give passengers a happy convenient trip."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah